Product Spotlight

Marketair Inc., an Edison, N.J.-based supplier of specialized and innovative  installation components for the North American HVAC market, introduces Brasotek, a cutting-edge, time-saving method for prepping copper pipe and fittings prior to brazing.

Brasotek replaces traditional methods and reduces the time needed to clean the joint areas on brazed copper linesets by more than 50 percent. It conserves filler rod, reduces the need for flux, requires lower brazing temperatures and less brazing time by 15 percent.  The eco-friendly, non-toxic and biodegradable liquid, which is non- flammable, is intended primarily for linesets as used in most ducted or ductless VRF/VRV AC systems, but can also be applied to most plumbing, hydronic heating or any installations requiring copper pipe and fitting brazing.

Brasotek is available in two configurations: The BTA-5 Mini is a small felt-tipped, pen sized applicator with a 6-ounce (5-ml) bottle for smaller pipes, and the BTA-20 MIDI is a larger version with  6.7-ounce (20-ml) bottle and 1-inch-long applicator pad for larger pipes. Both versions eliminate the cleaning of joint areas with emery cloth, which is difficult to use correctly on interior surfaces, very time-consuming, susceptible to deep scratching surfaces and creates copper dust and filing residue, which often migrate into the interior of the lineset and create a potential to clog valve orifices.

Currently the only known liquid brazing preparation of its type for copper pipes and fittings, the patented Brasotek solution is simply brushed on to the surfaces surrounding the weld area and evaporates within 5 to 10 seconds. This provides a bright clean surface that remains usable for up to 90 minutes. The result is  perfectly brazed connection when using a silver/phosphorus filler rod commonly-used in high pressure refrigerant applications.

Other Brasotek features include:

• Replacement bottles of cleaning solution are available separately.
• Applicators tips or pads can be reused many times and are also available as replacements.
• For very large pipe sizes, larger applicators are available on request;
• Cleaning with Brasotek is very cost effective, due to the minimal fluid usage and is considerably cheaper than the cost of a callback due to a braze connection that leaks due to poor cleaning.
• Packaged in a clear clamshell J-hook merchandiser with a four color label and instruction sheet;

Well-established in its home country of Italy, as well as other parts of Europe,  Brasotek is the preferred in-factory brazing choice of a number of local air conditioning manufacturers such as ONDA, OLIVET, SAMBONET, NOVATERM and other European HVAC/R manufacturers. The Brasotek process is available on video at www.marketair.com/brasotek.

Viega LLC’s new Automatic Recirculation Balancing Valve ensures a balanced domestic water recirculation system by dynamically changing with varying conditions.

The Automatic Recirculation Balancing Valve is a modification of a Viega product that has been used successfully in Europe for years. It helps keep water temperatures more uniform by adjusting flow with changes in temperature. The results are faster hot water delivery, minimized waste energy and water and less stagnation and chance of contamination. Among the valve’s features:

• Unlike with manual valves, temperature can be set once and be maintained automatically.
• Settings can be changed easily, if needed.
• Can be installed on risers or branches
• Remote monitoring with temperature sensor
• Optional thermometer provides visual indication of valve setting
• Threaded ends allow it to be used with Viega ProPress or Viega PureFlow fittings systems
• Includes bypass for thermal disinfection

Additional accessories that can be used with the valve include a thermometer, drain valve and optional insulation sleeve.

“Viega is committed to providing hot water quickly and efficiently while improving water quality and the new Automatic Recirculation Balancing Valve is a significant step toward that goal,” said Paige Riddle, product manager, valves. “This valve offers more features than any other on the market while requiring minimum work on the part of designers, engineers, installers and building maintenance personnel.”

To learn more about Viega and its work to improve water quality, click here.

New for 2019, Taco Comfort Solutions’^® 0018e high-efficiency, Bluetooth^®-enabled circulator brings a new level of control to residential and light commercial hydronic systems.

The ECM-powered 0018e is a solution for contractors who want the durability, efficiency and simplicity of other Taco ECM circulators, while looking for more system feedback and control than has been previously available.

The circulator features Bluetooth communication to a mobile app, providing real time control, diagnostics and reporting, such as installation history, power consumption, performance and runtime.   Installers can select between multiple constant speed, proportional pressure, and constant pressure modes as well as activeADAPT™, Taco’s self-adjusting proportional pressure mode.

Taco’s BIO Barrier^® protects the pump from system contaminants, especially black iron oxide that otherwise tends to collect around strong ECM magnets.  Also, SureStart®, which automatically unblocks a locked rotor and purges air from the circulator.  The 0018e features 18 feet maximum head with a maximum flow of 16 GPM. It’s also double insulated, which eliminates the need for a ground wire.

The circulator qualifies for most state, regional, and utility efficiency incentive programs.  An integral flow check is included, and both two-bolt or two-way flange models are available.  Contractors who designs their systems with precision can now get a circulator with the performance and control to match. The 0018e will be available in the third quarter of 2019.  For more information, visit www.TacoComfort.com

From copper press to copper sweat to CPVC and more, you can easily transition any piping material to Uponor PEX for plumbing or hydronic heating and cooling applications. With transitions available in sizes up to 3″, Uponor has the solution you need for fast, easy ProPEX® expansion connections in any application. To learn about all our transition solutions, visit uponorpro.com/transitions.